Saturday, 29 October 2016

Fourteen Days Away: Day 11 :6th October :

It
was another early rise to be at Toft for the 0645 ferry to Yell before
undertaking the Yell Rally to just make the early ferry to Fetlar as the sun
rose over the sea on a calm and clear morning.

Sunrise over Fetlar

The clear bit was the obvious
clue that yesterday's White's Thrush would have done a bunk and true to form its
chosen clump in the Houbie Burn was devoid of Spangly F**k Thrushes and some
Brambling, Goldcrests and Blackcaps were scant compensation. However, just down
the road in Aith, the same could not be said of the Swainson’s Thrush and after
some good guidance, we found it lurking inside it's favourite out building and
with a little patience superb views were had to about 15 feet after it decided
to stop hopping around on an old cooker inside another derelict house and come
out and play. It was calling frequently - a soft 'whit' and was quite
comfortable in our presence.

The ruined crofts of Aith

Lamb Hoga

It's in there somewhere...

Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush - my fifth...

Bradders 'nettling' - Head of Lambhoga behind

A smoky Black Redstart was new to the trip and
Shetland for me and a couple of Robins were flitting around.
Afterwards we checked Tresta Manse with no reward and a huge Meadowsweet bed
near the road gave David views of what was quite probably a Lanceolated Warbler
but it eluded me and Bob. We made it to the 1050 ferry back with a minute to
spare only to be told by the last man on that he had just found a Bluetail! It
was too late to get back off so headed for Unst to give this island another go.
It was very similar to our visit two days ago with another big Great Snipe
effort that left me happy that we had seen it but others less convinced but
then again this is coming from the man that shouted ‘White's Thrush!’ heading
away into the sun only to discover a Song Thrush in its place.

Nor Wick

In no way, shape or form a White's Thrush

A single Jack Snipe was almost trod upon and there were more finches to be seen
with a dozen Brambling dressed in orange, black and white and our first three
Greenfinches were munching on the fat rosehips. Blackcaps were dribbling in
before our eyes and feeding in the grass and a Yellow-browed became our first
of the day while two pale brown eastern Lesser Whitethroats were seen around the cabbage patch but the locals were quite openly hostile which was disappointing as we were only on the road and we left without the Bluethroats.

Blackcap

Ravens were a constant delight with over 40 at one stage playing in
the blue skies where they were joined by a male Kestrel.

Brambling

Brambling

We popped down to Haroldswick where a Rosefinch was feeding on the beach on sea-beet
seeds and a Barred Warbler did a quick scarpa. Six Goldfinch on thistles were
technically the best birds and our fifth Little Bunting grovelling in a nearby
tiny quarry was the most obliging one that we had seen.

Common Rosefinch at Haroldswick

An immaculate siny coal-coloured Blackbird - possibly one of my favourite pics from the trip

Scratching that ass

Three of six Goldfinches at Haroldswick

Clingera looking acrss the Halligarth - more YBWs

Little Bunting

Little Bunting

Whinchat

A check of the
Baltasound area added five more YBWs and a Whinchat along with the poorly Wood
Warbler still in Halligarth before we hit Uyeasound in search of some Lap
Buntings. Whooper Swans and a Pintail distracted us on Easter Loch in Uyeasound and a Barred Warbler lured us for
a quick look but did not oblige and it was at this point that it all got a bit
silly...

Whooper Swan

David was just motioning for us to move on when I glanced up as a thrush flew
directly overhead. I did not even have time to raise my bins but there above me
was a scaly breasted, white bellied Thrush with classic zoothera black and
white underwings. I screamed 'White's Thrush!' as it bounded over the roof.
Everyone got on it but as it looped back around it looked too small and then
David followed swiftly by me were now shouting 'SIBERIAN!!'.

Anthony Griffiths' shot that told us all we needed to know

Eyestripe! - Anthony Griffiths

We watched it land in some dense rosa and frantically attempted to get news
out as there was no reception at all. Thankfully Anthony Griffiths had snatched
some vital flight shots.

The bird was given plenty of space and then suddenly
popped out on the top of a clothes line post right in front of me showing that
huge curving a white supercillium, dark scaly breast and underparts and
blue-brown mantle... it was not just a Siberian Thrush but a first winter male
to boot.

Upon it's return to the garden... Anthony Griffiths

It then rocketed out of the gardens and looked to be going but then
thankfully came all the way back to the same sheltered spot. The next hour was
a bit of a blur but I believe that most birders on Unst connected. Behaviour
was very good and the bird was not pushed around and if it went for a fly round
it always came back to its secure garden where it could occasionally be glimpsed
through the fence on the lawn where it was feeding prior to dark.

Fisrt winter male Siberian Thrush - Richard Somer Cocks

Big smiles...

With the sun retreating behind the hills we came away with a huge sense of
relief that all the hard graft over the last week had at last paid dividends.
With new high calibre birds coming out of the woodwork all evening, let's hope
the last two days produce even more heart stopping moments....

Sunset across a peaceful Uyea Sound

We got home late and I still somehow managed to rustle up a quick fry up
with alcohol on the side and spent the rest of the evening smiling and prone to
spontaneous chuckling outbursts... unbelievable... I doubt I will even find a
more heart stopping bird...

About Me

I have been a birder for what seems like all of my forty-odd years but thankfully with that has come an all encompassing love for everything wild and wonderful. I am lucky enough to work for the RSPB at Rainham Marshes so I suspect that you might get used to a post or two from where I spend most of my time...